POPULATION: 1,322
MEDIAN AGE: 36.9
MEDIAN PROPERTY VALUE: $113,700
HOME OWNERSHIP RATE: 71.8%
HOME OWNERSHIP RATE: 71.8%
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $49,750
DISTANCE TO MAJOR CITIES
1 hr: La Crosse, WI
1 hr: Winona, MN
1 hr: Austin, MN
40 min: Rochester, MN
40 min: Decorah, IA
1 hr: La Crosse, WI
1 hr: Winona, MN
1 hr: Austin, MN
40 min: Rochester, MN
40 min: Decorah, IA
FILLMORE COUNTY SEAT
Housing
Preston is dedicated to adding 167 new homes and apartments to the housing mix by 2030. Whether you’re a developer interested in investing in building here or you’re someone looking to live here, we have a plethora of information and tools for you to use. Preston’s housing mix includes single family living, senior living and apartments for all ages. You can live right downtown above a historic building, close to the school or near the woods. No matter where you choose to live Preston provides a great place to live, work and play!
Preston is dedicated to adding 167 new homes and apartments to the housing mix by 2030. Whether you’re a developer interested in investing in building here or you’re someone looking to live here, we have a plethora of information and tools for you to use. Preston’s housing mix includes single family living, senior living and apartments for all ages. You can live right downtown above a historic building, close to the school or near the woods. No matter where you choose to live Preston provides a great place to live, work and play!
Education & Childcare
The Fillmore Central School District is a public-school district with grades K-12 which serves the Preston, Harmony and Fountain areas. The Fillmore Central Elementary School is located on north side of Preston just as you enter town. The teacher to student ratio is 13:1. Fillmore Central also has a strong Community Education Program which includes School Readiness options. In addition to the high performing school system Fillmore Central’s One Block At A Time Daycare also calls Preston home. One Block at a Time Daycare is a well-designed child care environment that was created to fulfill a need for childcare but also inspire curiosity and enhanced learning for children.
The Fillmore Central School District is a public-school district with grades K-12 which serves the Preston, Harmony and Fountain areas. The Fillmore Central Elementary School is located on north side of Preston just as you enter town. The teacher to student ratio is 13:1. Fillmore Central also has a strong Community Education Program which includes School Readiness options. In addition to the high performing school system Fillmore Central’s One Block At A Time Daycare also calls Preston home. One Block at a Time Daycare is a well-designed child care environment that was created to fulfill a need for childcare but also inspire curiosity and enhanced learning for children.
Employment & Business
Preston is home to a variety of business sectors including service industry, manufacturing, agriculture, retail, hospitality and government. The top employer for the city is Fillmore County because Preston is the county seat. The Fillmore Central School District is the second largest employer. Preston has a strong Chamber of Commerce dedicated to ensuring all businesses in Preston thrive. The Preston Economic Development Authority is dedicated to focusing on business growth in Preston. The opportunity for a wide variety of employment exists and the demand for a strong workforce continues in Preston and across the country. Preston is also home to a Workforce Development Center.
Preston is home to a variety of business sectors including service industry, manufacturing, agriculture, retail, hospitality and government. The top employer for the city is Fillmore County because Preston is the county seat. The Fillmore Central School District is the second largest employer. Preston has a strong Chamber of Commerce dedicated to ensuring all businesses in Preston thrive. The Preston Economic Development Authority is dedicated to focusing on business growth in Preston. The opportunity for a wide variety of employment exists and the demand for a strong workforce continues in Preston and across the country. Preston is also home to a Workforce Development Center.
Healthcare
Preston is fortunate to have high quality healthcare at our fingertips. Olmsted Medical Center – Preston Branch is a non-profit clinic serving the Preston area. Preston also has a home-health business, a physical therapy office, two chiropractors, two assisted living facilities and an award-winning emergency services team. In addition, a State Veterans Home with 54 beds opened in 2024 to serve southeast Minnesota Veterans.
Preston is fortunate to have high quality healthcare at our fingertips. Olmsted Medical Center – Preston Branch is a non-profit clinic serving the Preston area. Preston also has a home-health business, a physical therapy office, two chiropractors, two assisted living facilities and an award-winning emergency services team. In addition, a State Veterans Home with 54 beds opened in 2024 to serve southeast Minnesota Veterans.
Recreation
Preston is connected to 60+ miles of paved trail and miles of cold water trout fishing streams. You can bike, hike, canoe, kayak, tube, and more right in Preston! Preston is also a short distance away from Forestville State Park and Mystery Cave. The fun is endless no matter the season.
Preston is connected to 60+ miles of paved trail and miles of cold water trout fishing streams. You can bike, hike, canoe, kayak, tube, and more right in Preston! Preston is also a short distance away from Forestville State Park and Mystery Cave. The fun is endless no matter the season.
Veteran Friendly Community
In 2017 the Preston Area Chamber of Commerce launched a “Veteran Friendly Community campaign to support Preston’s Veteran population. Preston is home to the Preston Servicemen’s Club and a State Veterans Cemetery. The Minnesota State Veterans Home – Preston opened in 2024 making Preston the first city in the state of Minnesota to have a State Veterans Cemetery and a State Veterans Home. In 2019 Preston became a Purple Heart City. The “Veteran Friendly Campaign” has been carried on throughout the last 5 years and the Preston Area Chamber of Commerce continues to add to the movement.
In 2017 the Preston Area Chamber of Commerce launched a “Veteran Friendly Community campaign to support Preston’s Veteran population. Preston is home to the Preston Servicemen’s Club and a State Veterans Cemetery. The Minnesota State Veterans Home – Preston opened in 2024 making Preston the first city in the state of Minnesota to have a State Veterans Cemetery and a State Veterans Home. In 2019 Preston became a Purple Heart City. The “Veteran Friendly Campaign” has been carried on throughout the last 5 years and the Preston Area Chamber of Commerce continues to add to the movement.
Telecommuter-Friendly City
In 2020 Preston was designated as Fillmore County’s only Telecommuter-Friendly Community by Governor Tim Walz. This designation is given to communities that commit to coordinating and partnering with broadband providers, realtors, economic development professionals, employers, employees, and other stakeholders to promote the availability of telecommuting options in their region. Broadband competition in Preston is above average compared to other parts of the state, with an average of 3.59 providers per census block. Preston ranks at 286th on the “most connected city” charts. (Measured by the number of companies available at each local address) As it stands, only 31.27 percent of Preston addresses are limited to fewer than two choices for Internet services. FCC info is reported twice annually.
In 2020 Preston was designated as Fillmore County’s only Telecommuter-Friendly Community by Governor Tim Walz. This designation is given to communities that commit to coordinating and partnering with broadband providers, realtors, economic development professionals, employers, employees, and other stakeholders to promote the availability of telecommuting options in their region. Broadband competition in Preston is above average compared to other parts of the state, with an average of 3.59 providers per census block. Preston ranks at 286th on the “most connected city” charts. (Measured by the number of companies available at each local address) As it stands, only 31.27 percent of Preston addresses are limited to fewer than two choices for Internet services. FCC info is reported twice annually.
Minnesota Housing Institute
Established in 2010, the MHP’s Housing Institute brings together housing leaders and stakeholders in Greater Minnesota to share their experiences, learn best practices, and develop creative solutions to bring quality affordable housing to their communities. MHP launched the 2020-21 cohort on July 28, 2020 with 5 teams from southern Minnesota: Lanesboro, Preston, Dodge Center, Fairmont, and Lewiston. Preston graduated from this program at the end of 2021.
Established in 2010, the MHP’s Housing Institute brings together housing leaders and stakeholders in Greater Minnesota to share their experiences, learn best practices, and develop creative solutions to bring quality affordable housing to their communities. MHP launched the 2020-21 cohort on July 28, 2020 with 5 teams from southern Minnesota: Lanesboro, Preston, Dodge Center, Fairmont, and Lewiston. Preston graduated from this program at the end of 2021.
Community Resources
- Preston Area Chamber of Commerce
- Preston Area Community Foundation
- Preston Historical Society
- Fillmore County History Center & Genealogy Library
- Preston Area Arts Council
- Churches
- Preston Public Library
- Services
- City of Preston and Preston Public Utilities
